Hi everyone!!
Right.... I am doing something I have never ever done before and me and Star are going to try our hand at some showing, in hand and ridden
I am going in a couple of weeks just to do the in hand as it will be her first "proper" show with me and I dont want her going crazy while I am on her so think the safest bet is to do some in hand and just see how we get on!

As I ahve said I have never ever done showing before so tbh dont really have a clue, If anyone has any tips for me it would be much appreciated! Any do's and dont's, or any tips with getting her ready and looking her best would be really helpful!! Also a slight description on what I need to do in hand? Sorry to sound novice but I really am with showing! lol
Thanks for reading!

What class are you aiming her at? How you turn out and dress depends on which class you are going in

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It's best not to annoy a horse - especially when you are in the saddle!

I am looking at doing the riding horse/hack class ridden and in hand

Best thing to do is google it, there's a few different places. Having said that I showed (?not sure if that's correct but it's late lol) my boy last year as a riding horse, we didn't do great a lot of the time but that was probably more due to his behavior than turn out!

*Plaited mane & tail (was told by a friend that pulled tail is more correct but I don't like pulled tails)

*Trimmed beard/whiskers (although again I don't like trimming a horses whiskers and as it was just local level for fun I didn't)

*Straight cut as possible saddle, no martingale, colored brow band. I think brown tack is preferred but not sure - I have brown tack anyway. The numnah should be saddle shaped and the same colour as your saddle and should show as little of possible under the saddle. In hand obviously just a bridle same as for ridden but make sure your reins aren't too long - saw someone get tripped by their own reins once - they were really long and once over the horses head provided entertainment for everyone else lol.

*I think for a hack that tweed is correct but I always wear my black jacket in riding horse, riding club horse. But make sure your hat and jacket colour matches. I'd look that up if I were you

* A shirt and tie is probably more 'correct' than a stock, light coloured jods and long boots (or joddy boots and leather gaiters at locals - I do) for adults and joddy boots and joddy clips for kids. I've not done in hand before with horses only ponies but I think smart 'country wear' is acceptable and everyone seems to wear a hat of some description, gloves and a showing cane.

* Most importantly is that you and the horse are spotlessly clean - I had a judge ask my friends daughter to take her gloves off so she could check her hands! And enjoy yourself - watch what the ones who get placed high up do and remember that showing is always based on someone elses opinion eg/ I like dapple greys so for me they will always stand out more and I'd be more likely to place one higher up the ranking - so don't be too disheartened if you come no where - I have been last in one show and 3rd in another with different judges!

*Finally - Good luck and remember to smile

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It's best not to annoy a horse - especially when you are in the saddle!

Thanks fat fred! Those tips are very helpful
I think I can manage all of that! I am getting excited but tbh I dont mind where we come, its more the experience than anything else! And knowing that neither of us have done it before I wont put any pressure on us (I hope I dont anyway lol)
I will let you all know how it goes and post some pictures!